cilities, and were briefed about security.ddddddddddddTheres no time frame, and we wont put any pressure. They took everything quite seriously here

WASHINGTON -- The World Anti-Doping Agency didnt immediately investigate allegations of systematic cheating by the Russian Olympic team because it lacked the authority to conduct such an inquiry, according to the watchdogs president.Sir Craig Reedie told the chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee in a letter that the panel released Friday that the anti-doping agencys investigative powers were expanded early in 2015. Thats five years after Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., said the agency was made aware of allegations of widespread government-sanctioned doping among Russian athletes.Before the agency received more authority, its practice was to assist governments and local anti-doping authorities with their investigations, Reedie told Thune in the letter, dated July 5. That assistance included developing protocols for proper evidence gathering and information sharing between governments and sports organizations, he said.There was no delay on our part in furthering the information that was received over a period of time in regard to these allegations, Reedie wrote. He also told Thune the initial reports of cheating by Russian athletes that the agency received from a whistleblower were not shared with Russian authorities. To do so would have been a grave lack of judgment on our behalf, he wrote.Russian track and field athletes are banned by the International Association of Athletics Federations from competing globally, including in the Rio Olympics, because of systematic doping. But IAAF President Sebastian Coe said 136 Russians have applied for clearances.The Senate Commerce Committee has legislative and oversight jurisdiction over sports. Thune wrote to Reedie last month, outlining in a seven-page letter his numerous concerns with how the watchdog group handled the allegations of cheating by the Russian team.The senator said a robust anti-doping agency is indispensable to fairness in sports and the health and safety of athletes. But the agencys response to reports of an elaborate state-sponsored doping program in Russia called the agencys strength and credibility into question, he said.Thune said his committee independently confirmed media reports that the agency knew of the doping among Russian athletes and Moscows involvement in February 2010. But the watchdog didnt establish an independent commission to examine the claims until December 2014.Thune also questioned whether the anti-doping agency is adequately independent, noting that board members are permitted to serve in executive positions with sports organizations.Reedie said his agencys power to investigate didnt officially become part of the world anti-doping code until January 2015 and it set up the commission a month prior in anticipation of this authority coming into force.The agency does not have any concrete information of any state-sponsored doping program beyond Russias, Reedie said. If that information is forthcoming, then we would not hesitate to institute an investigation, he wrote.Reedie also defended the agencys integrity and impartiality. He said members of the agencys board and executive committee sign conflict of interest statements.---Follow Richard Lardner on Twitter: http://twitter.com/rplardnerKendrick Bourne Super Bowl Jersey . Clarke was injured while practicing on the Doha Golf Club range after the pro-am on Tuesday. The Northern Irishman arrived at the course on Wednesday hoping to start, but after hitting a few balls on the practice putting green Clarke advised officials he was not fit to play. Tevin Coleman Super Bowl Jersey . - Goaltender Philippe Desrosiers of the Rimouski Oceanic has broken a shutout record that was only three months old in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. http://www.authenticsf49erspro.com/Roger-craig-49ers-jersey/ . He said Tuesday thats a big reason why he is now the new coach of the Tennessee Titans. Whisenhunt said he hit it off quickly with Ruston Webster when interviewing for the job Friday night. 49ers Super Bowl Jerseys . Their experience showed Tuesday as the No. 10 Badgers blunted a Saint Louis surge to win 63-57 and advance to face West Virginia in Wednesdays finals of the Cancun Challenge. Dee Ford Super Bowl Jersey . Los Angeles star goalie survived those perilous gymnastics with no problem, and he eventually backstopped the Kings to a skid-snapping win. Quick stopped 27 shots in his return from a 24-game injury absence, Jeff Carter scored the tiebreaking goal with 7:55 to play, and the Kings snapped their five-game losing streak with a 3-1 victory over the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday night.The ECB delegation left Dhaka on Saturday evening with its host hopeful of Englands tour of Bangladesh going ahead as scheduled in October. The delegation inspected venues in Mirpur, Chittagong and Fatullah, giving special attention to detail when looking at the venues and hotels in Mirpur and Chittagong. The three-member delegation also had meetings with intelligence agencies and BCB officials in Dhaka, and were shown the security plan for the tour at the home ministry.A top official at the home ministry said the delegation was happy with the plan. The BCB, however, refrained from any overly confident statements before hearing from its English counterpart.The delegation included the ECBs security advisor Reg Dickason, Professional Cricketers Association chief executive David Leatherdale and the ECBs director of cricket operations John Carr, and arrived in Bangladesh after completing a venue inspection for Englands tour of India later in the year.The BCBs media committee chairman Jalal Yunus said: We will know whether it was a positive tour for them when they report back to the ECB. They will decide only then. TThey visited all the hotels and ground facilities, and were briefed about security.ddddddddddddTheres no time frame, and we wont put any pressure. They took everything quite seriously here, and spoke to nearly everyone, including the countrys security intelligence. They were given a detailed security plan at the home ministry.Englands tour of Bangladesh is scheduled to begin on September 30, and includes three ODIs and two Tests.Yunus also said that Bangladeshs top government officials were aware of the developments, but did not comment on whether government-to-government contact had been established regarding the tour. The need for such an assurance from the Bangladesh government towards the UK is being discussed as a necessity, given the July 1 attack in Dhaka.Englands tour is set to be the maiden bilateral Test and ODI series in Bangladesh this year. So far this year, international cricket in Bangladesh has included the Under-19 World Cup, T20Is against Zimbabwe, and the Asia Cup. ' ' '